Wiki/Dictionary.com does not provide a word origin but notes the phrase emerged in the 1950s. Unconfirmed sources say that Merrill Lynch Investments used the phrase in an advertising campaign. The traditional golden anniversary occurs at 50 years of marriage, a mark that few couples would have seen prior to the 1950s, and golden years might bring up thoughts of people of sufficient age to have a golden anniversary, which would then imply people over about 65 or 70 years.

Everything Changes As the cycle of life ends Golden Parachutes…

The wisdom of age Measured words of compassion As the twilight dawns…

What are the Golden Years? Have you ever wondered where the term Golden Years originated from? The blockqoute above tells us. However, when I think of Golden Years, I imagine being bathed in light as I lollygag on a private beach. After years of serving our fellow men and women, the fortunate amongst us might get a golden watch or parachute – a way to retire in style. It was an important rite of passage and all working folk looked forward to it. Nowadays, most don’t. The world of work has changed.

Alas, in our modern disposable world, the elderly get shoved to the side as all things new, youthful and glittery replace them. Our young billionaires are under 40 and have a different perspective on the world of work. For any of us who choose to not learn new things and instead, hold unto old ways and habits, the train of technological advancement speeds by. We must stay motivated to keep up our pace with the changing world. We are never too young or old to learn new skills or imagine something better and golden so, I choose not to despair…

“Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.” Henry Miller

Weekly Writing Challenge: The Golden Years – Retired

A beginner’s mind
Wise choice for retirement
The passage of time

We waste time whining
The bell tolls, Life passes by
We search for lost time

When I was young, my parents were vibrant and busy. They seemed invincible, immortal and, like every child, I imagined them living forever. My Dad passed away before he could slow down enough to enjoy his golden years. My Mom met hers in a way she would have never imagined or wished for. So while some of us imagine elderly life in shimmering gold, and others view aging as a joyful or sad event, what remains inevitable is that we will all – AGE – and eventually pass away.

How else can we define the golden years? I see the golden years as a gift; a time to reflect on how we served others; on how we loved our family and friends; on how we forgave ourselves for our mistakes; and how we helped strangers. Then we can sit back and enjoy the warmth and love of those around us… glowing in the light that shines from our hearts.

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“No American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies.” President Obama

Weekly Writing Challenge: The Golden Years – Experienced

Age; just a number
Series of planted milestones
In physical shifts

Love your Golden Years Cultivate peace and wisdom Make friends with your mind…

So how have you planned for your golden years? Are you ready for the coming of a new dawn in your life? One thing I know for sure is that those who have learned to be grateful for what is, have little room for regrets. If we cultivate peace in our lives and make friends with our mind; leave the negativity and meanness at the door of forgiveness, our golden years will shimmer and glow and, no matter what life serves us to taunt us, peace will meet us at our front door.

This post was inspired by Daily Prompt. Weekly Writing Challenge: Golden Years. For this week’s writing challenge, we’re asking you to explore what age means to you. Is it the loss of youth, or the cultivation of wisdom? Do things get better as you grow older, or worse? There are many ways to interpret age, often depending on your relationship with the passing of time.

Positive Motivation Tip: When I think of the Golden Years, I imagine being served a delicious meal as I lounge in a warm salt bath at an exquisite spa located in a beautiful mountains area far from the din of daily life… We are never too young or old to imagine. Go to it!

I so get that one too… And Oprah said the same a few years ago in an interview… It resonated with me deeply. WE have to care for ourselves and make peace with the body we have; especially the aging body that is being pulled by gravity. TY! 😉

I believe age is just a number. And it really depends on how you approach the obstacles in life as to whether things get better or worse. Some people learn and some people do not. My husband and I realized that when we had our first son that we did not want to live to work our entire life, so we sold everything and moved to Florida so that we could take our kids to the beach and Disney as much as we wanted!

My golden years are at my doorstep. Most days I don’t feel any different, but it crosses my mind. I want them to be peaceful, and yet productive. I believe when you do what you love retirement isn’t an option, so I will never just sit in a rocker and veg.
Making peace is key, isn’t it? My father-in-law us 95 and truly hasn’t lived in years. I believe his anger, from over 80 years ago, is what fuels him. It’s so damn sad.
Good post!
b

I wish more people would cherish the older and wiser versus shoving them to the side. There is so much we could learn from the older generation! We definitely need to show some respect to those in their golden years!

Many people are shy about their age. I think we should all appreciate the years we have lived this life. We are really blessed to have lived more than what others did. Golden years should be appreciated rather than ridiculed.

Ahh…the Golden years. I only hope and pray that my husband and I are both healthy enough to enjoy them vs. spending 2 days out of the week at a Dr.’s office or at the pharmacy filling prescriptions. 🙂 Honestly though…I watched my parents enjoy their golden years together. It’s a beautiful thing.

I hadn’t thought a TON about what I’ll do in the “golden years”, but my boyfriend have brought up the idea of moving back to New Zealand onto a beachfront and living the simple life. Also, Robin’s idea doesn’t sound so bad!

I think the Golden Years are more golden if we’re surrounded by people who appreciate and love us. I see older people revered in some places, and ignored, ridiculed, or scorned in others. The latter is very sad, and always gets to me any and every time I come across it.

My new part-time job is with an Adult Day Program …It feels funny at times that I am doing for them…and that I also could be ONE of them…
Thankful for where I am at in these Golden Years… Maybe because I’m getting nearer their age…makes me more aware of how I would like to be treated …so I treat them accordingly…

My grandmother is just entering those golden years and the wisdom she holds is inspiring. I look at her, knowing that I only know a fraction of what she’s gone through in her life, and hope to one day be half the person she is.

Thank you Amy! My mom is still alive but had a massive stroke and didn’t recover from it. I wish more people would stop and think about the blessings we enjoy in our lives. We all experience challenges and, while some of us choose to not talk about them publicly, I find that looking for the good in situations helps us move forward. The golden years are a blessing especially if we have health and our faculties intact.

Great post. I am a nurse at a nursing home and I do see so many elderly forgotten about. They cannot keep up with this fast paced world we live in so they seem to get put aside. These people have had amazing lives that we could learn so much from.

Reblogged this on Deanna Greens and Garden Art and commented:
This is written by a fellow WordPress blogger, who captured come thoughts, wise words, poetry, and photos about aging and those golden years.